BERTIE AHERN entered the Ógra Fianna Fáil conference hall quietly, surrounded only by a couple of TDs and Senators, writes Mark Hennessy.
A few heads turned, but most remained unaware of his presence. News of his arrival spread slowly through the ranks, but nothing happened. Was it shyness, or discomfort that kept the party's youth wing in their seats?
Minister of State Dick Roche, who had just noticed Ahern's arrival, seized the initiative: "Welcome Taoiseach, you are looking well today, despite the vicissitudes of recent days. And you know that you have the loyalty of the overwhelming number of people in this room."
The audience rose to give the Taoiseach a standing ovation, though it had a perfunctory air to it, the applause dying out quickly.
The reality that a leadership change in Fianna Fáil is now in the wind, be it months or years away, was illustrated by Dick Roche's tributes to the "man who would be king", Brian Cowen, or at least they will be interpreted in that way regardless of what Roche would prefer."Brian Cowen doesn't like praise. He is an excessively modest man. But he was one of the best people you could work with during the EU presidency.
"Managers are supposed to know about delegation, but he knew what it meant. He was an extraordinary guiding hand," said Roche.
"Again, Brian Cowen doesn't allow himself the credit for eloquence, but he was able to start a whole new narrative about Europe in this party, and in the country," he said.
Ahern's welcome was to get better - much, much better - as the afternoon went along, particularly after he mistook Ógra's chairman Barry Andrews for his brother Chris.
Provoking more laughter, Andrews replied, calling the Taoiseach "Noel". Ahern roared with laughter, in the manner of a man in need of it.
Later, Andrews trumpeted the Taoiseach's upcoming address to the Houses of Congress in Washington.
"He will be following shortly in the steps of Nelson Mandela. Whatever else about Ireland's place in the world, he has been its finest ambassador," he said, to ever louder applause.
Speaking on the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, Ahern delivered a barnstormer, one of a number he has given in recent weeks, where his passion for his subject was in full view.
But events in Dublin Castle are never very far away at any time now in his life.
Wrapping up his speech, he thanked Ógra for their "huge support. There have been times in the last few years when I have needed that. I have always appreciated your huge loyalty," he told them. To a man and woman, they rose and applauded.